Emergency air supply system for passengers of a submerged land vehicle

ABSTRACT

An available pressurized air source, such as an inflated tire, connectable by appropriate conduit means, with flow control and pressure regulation provisions, through an air transmitter or face mask, to the breathing passages of a passenger in a submerged land vehicle to either provide emergency breathing air for the passenger, or to fill an inflatable and portable air pack which the passenger may leave the vehicle with, or both.

United States Patent 1 Matheny et al.

]March 13, 1973 [54] EMERGENCY AIR SUPPLY SYSTEM FOR PASSENGERS OF ASUBMERGED LAND VEHICLE [76] Inventors: Alfred Paul Matheny, 616Prosperity Farms Road, North Palm Beach; John R. Rahon, 2052 ArdleyRoad,

Juno Isles, both of Fla. 33408 [22] Filed: Dec. 2, 1970 [21] Appl. No.:94,483

[52] U.S. Cl ..l28/l42, 152/415 [51] Int. Cl. ..A62b 7/00 [58] Field ofSearch ..l28/142, 141, 142.2, 142.3, 128/142.4, 142.5, 142.6, 145.5,145.6,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,818,858 1/1958 Holm..l28/l42.2

3,461,789 8/1969 Texidor ..98/1.5 2,399,643 5/1946 Kreiselman....128/145.7 1,910,445 5/1933 Paquelte ..222/399 3,107,373 10/1963 Mellon..l28/l41 R 1,331,601 2/1920 Watanabe ..l28/l42 Primary Examiner-RichardA. Gaudet Assistant ExaminerG. F. Dunne Attorney-Jack N. McCarthy [57]ABSTRACT An available pressurized air source, such as an inflated tire,connectable by appropriate conduit means, with flow control and pressureregulation provisions,

through an air transmitter or face mask, to the breathing passages of apassenger in a submerged land vehicle to either provide emergencybreathing air for the passenger, or to fill an inflatable and portableair pack which the passenger may leave the vehicle with, or both.

11 Claims, 13 Drawing Figures PATENTEUHARIBIQB 3,720.20.

SHEET 20F 4 H62 v [M PATENTEUHAM 3191s SHEET 3 OF 4 F'IG 7 PATEHTFUHAR 13 ma SHEET "I 0F 4 FIGJZ F'IGJB EMERGENCY AIR SUPPLY SYSTEM FORPASSENGERS OF A SUBMERGED LAND VEHICLE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1.Field of the Invention This invention relates to the providing of anemergency breathing air supply to a passenger in a sub merged landvehicle, such as an automobile, and more particularly to such a systemwhich will not only enable '0 the passenger to breath while submerged inthe land vehicle but will also provide a portable air supply to thepassenger to use upon leaving the submerged vehicle to assist him to thesurface and to assisthim in floating on the surface until rescued.

2. Description of the Prior Art There are no known mechanisms forperforming this function and while mechanisms have been provided topermit a person to enter or remain in a hostile environment, none of theknown mechanisms have the capability of installation in an automobileand emergency use when required.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION from an available source, such as an inflatedvehicle tire, and the system is adapted to provide the vehicle occupantwith a portable air supply for leaving the vehicle and proceeding to thesurface of the water.

In accordance with a further aspect of this invention, flow control andpressure regulating means are provided to control the pressure of theair being provided to the entrapped vehicle passenger from an availablepressurized air source at a pressure slightly in excess of the pressureof the surrounding environment to permitv ease of breathing of theoccupant.

In accordance with a further aspect of this invention, the air sourcefor emergency breathing may be a vehicle spare tire and/or at least onevehicle tire mounted for operation, an impact air cushion, or a separatecontainer provided forthis purpose, or any of these in combination. If aseparate container is used for the air source, that the container couldbe positioned under the front seat of the vehicle, could be removablyattached to the roof of the vehicle or otherwise conveniently located.

In accordance with a further aspect of this invention, the emergency airsupply system can be used for long periods of time due to the fact thatthe passenger breathed air is not lost to the system.

In accordance with still a further aspect of this present invention,pump means are provided to assist the passenger in either receiving airfrom the pressurized air source or returning breathed air thereto. Thepump means can be either manually or automatically operated.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, provisionmay be made for the transmitting of the emergency breathing air from thepressurized air source either directly to the car passenger throughproper flow control and pressure regulating means and also to aninflatable, portable air trapper unit which BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THEDRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of the emergency airsupply system for a submerged vehicle in which emergency air is providedto the breathing passages of the passenger with pressure regulation andflow control provisions.

FIG. 2 is a showing of a transmitter or face mask, partially brokenaway, to illustrate air blockage and flow control means.

FIG. 3 is a showing taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a showing taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2.

, FIG. Sis a showing taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of a modification of our emergencyair supply system in which air is provided to an air pack member fortransmission to the passenger and with provisions for removing the airpack member and its support mechanism from the remainder of the systemonce it is inflated to permit the victim to leave the submerged vehiclewith an emergency air supply.

FIG. 7 is a modification of our emergency air supply system which bothprovides flow control and pressure regulated air to the passenger forbreathing and provides an inflatable and detachable life jacket to beused in leaving the submerged vehicle.

FIG. 8 is another modification of our emergency air supply systemincluding provisions for both providing low controlled and pressureregulated emergencybreathing air to the entrapped passenger and forinflating an air pack unit which is removable for the system and whichcan be used to provide pressure regulated air to the passenger as' anemergency breathing supply separate'from the overall system upon leavingthe submerged vehicle.

FIG. 9 is a showing of the connection of our emergency air supply systemto a mounted tire on a vehicle.

FIG. 10 is a sectional showing taken along line 10 of FIG. 9.

FIGS. 11-13 are showings of pumps which can be used with our system.

Referring to FIG. 1 we see the schematic representation of land vehicle10, which may be an automobile, and an emergency air supply systemlladapted to be mounted therein and to provide'the passenger of thevehicle with an emergency air supply should the vehicle become submergedin water or other hostile environments. Emergency air supply system 12includes an air source 14 which may be the vehicle spare tire, or one ormore of the vehicle operably mounted tires, an impact air cushion or aseparate container. System 12 also includes an air transmitter mechanism16, which is preferably of the face mask type with provisions forstrapping to the passengers head with the face mask enveloping thepassengers breathing passages.

Conventional connecting means 21, such as a clamp or magnet, is providedto attach transmitter 16 to a convenient place in the vehicle, such asthe dashboard. Conduit means 18 connects the air source 14 to the airtransmitter 16. On-off valve 20 is located in conduit 18 and may be ofthe conventional manually or automatically operated type so as tonormally interrupt communication between the air source 14 and thetransmitter mechanism 16 and which is actuatable to establishcommunication between the air source 14 and the transmitter mechanism 16to permit the flow of pressurized air from the air source to thetransmitter mechanism. Pressure regulator valve 22 is also located inconduit means 18 and includes housing 24 with reciprocating pistonmember 26 located therein and connected thereto through flexible bellows28. Piston 26 is biased to a closed position by spring 27 and issubjected to the surrounding environmental pressure through apertures 30in housing 24 and is actuatable thereby to overcome spring 27 to openvalve 32 an amount proportional to the surrounding environmentalpressure and hence regulate the pressure of the air passing from the airsource 14 therethrough to the air transmitter unit 16 so that thepassenger is provided air at a pressure slightly above the surroundingenvironmental pressure to permit ease of breathing. Line 38 representsthe intake line of conduit 18 and line 40 represents the exhaust linethereof. The breathed air from exhaust line 40 may either be capturedfor reuse in a fashion to be described hereinafter, may be permitted toescape in vent fashion or, breathed air can merely be permitted toescape around the sides of the face mask portion of the transmittermember 16. Undirectional flow valves of conventional design, such as theflapper-type or the ball-check valve are utilized in the system, such asat 34 and 36, to insure that the flow from the air pressure source 14 tothe transmitter member 16 is in that direction only and to insure thatthe flow from the transmitter unit is exhausted in the oppositedirection only.

Air transmitter 16 is illustrated in FIGS. 2-5. Mask portion 11 definescavity 13 in which the passengers face is sealably engaged due to thegripping action of surfaces and 17. Strap 19 extends around the passengers head and engages mask portion 11 at fixed connection 21 andadjustable connection 23, which engages the rod 25 of piston 27, whichis biased by spring 29 to extend across and block-off passage 38. Itwill therefore be seen that when system 12 is not in use, piston 27prevents air leakage from source 14 through conduit 38 oftransmitter 16.

When system 12 is to be used, the passenger automatically pulls piston27 to its open position as he pulls strap 19 behind his head in placingtransmitter 16 over his face. The passenger can manually select theposition of piston 27, and hence the rate of breathing air flow throughtransmitter 16, by engaging the proper notch in lever 29 in engagementwith projection 31 strap 19 (see FIG. 3). Lever 29 is pivotallyconnected at 33 to mask 11. For ease of operation, grip member 31extends from piston rod 25 as shown in FIG. 5, for gripping by thepassenger in positioning piston 27.

It will accordingly be seen that in FIG. 1 construction, pressurized airfrom air source 14 commences to flow to the passenger throughtransmitter member 16 after the on-off valve is open. The pressure ofthe air being provided to the passenger is regulated-by pressureregulating valve 22. While the FIG. 1 disclosed construction ispreferred, it is possible that with skilled manipulation, and possiblyon the basis of experience, a manually operated valve of the typecommonly used on garden hoses could be used to perform the communicationand establishing the pressure regulating function in conduit 18.

Referring to FIG. 6 we see another embodiment of our emergency airsupply system for submerged land vehicles which is similar in part tothe FIG. 1 embodiment and will use similar reference numerals whereapplicable. In the FIG. 6 construction, pressurized air from air source14 is again provided to air transmitter 16 through on-off valve 20,however, in this system an air pack or air trapper member 42 is providedand is located close to the passenger in convenient fashion in thevehicle. Air pack member 42 is preferably an inflatable and portablelife jacket which is designed to envelope the upper portion or at leasta part of the passenger's body when in use. In the FIG. 6 environment,pressurized air from air source 14 passes through conduit 18 and valve20 and a conventional quick connectdisconnect mechanism 44 to air packmember 42 to inflate the air pack member, which, in turn, serves as apressurized source of air which is connected through intake line 38 andexhaust line 40 to the transmitter mechanism 16. Quickconnect-disconnect mechanism 44 is of conventional design and serves topermit the submerged vehicle passenger to disconnect the air pack member42 and air transmitter mechanism 16, with the interconnecting portion ofconduit member 18 therebetween, from the remainder of the system 12 soas to permit the passenger to leave the vehicle with the assistance ofportable emergency air supply system 46 which is portable in nature andconsists of air pack 42, transmitter 16, and the portion of conduitsystem 18 therebetween. In portable system 46, air pack member 42 is alife jacket which not only supplies the needed breathing air for thepassenger but also assists the passenger in coming to the surface of thewater and remaining on the surface of the water until rescued. Quickconnect-disconnect mechanism 44 is the type having a flow shut-off valvedevice on each engaging part thereof which are operable when the partsare disconnected to prevent flow therefromaln FIG. 6 the air pack member42 can be sized to achieve a pressure which is compatible with breathingor a garden hosetype valve 35 could be used to perform a pressurereguiating function as described in connection with FIG. 1'

In the FIG. 7 modification, many of the mechanisms used in the FIG. 1preferred embodiment are utilized and similar reference numerals will beused in describing FIG. 7. In the FIG. 7 embodiment, the air from airsource 14 flows through conduit system 18 and on-off valve 20 and theneither through pressure regulator 22 to the passenger through airtransmitter 16 or through unidirectional valve and quickconnect-disconnect mechanism 44 to inflatable life jacket 42. The FIG. 7embodiment operates as the previously described FIG. 1 embodiment exceptthat the trapped passenger may disconnect the quick connect-disconnectmechanism 44 and utilize inflated life jacket 42 to leave the vehiclewithout emergency air supply. The FIG. 7 embodiment would be utilized ina situation where the entrapped passenger has determined that thesubmerged vehicle is located in shallow water and that he is capable ofreaching the water surface without the aid of an emergency air supply.

It will be evident that in the FIG. 7 embodiment, the air source 14,with valve 20, could be used to inflate life jacket 42 only, if thepassenger found that his vehicle is submerged in shallow water and hemerely needed the assistance of the life jacket to get to and remain onthe surface of the water.

FIG. 8 shows still another modification of our invention and thereference numerals used in FIG. 1 will again be repeated for similarmechanisms. In the FIG. 8 mechanism, air from air supply 14 flowsthrough conduit mechanism 18 and on-off valve 20 through quickconnect-disconnect mechanism 44 to joint 50 which permits simultaneousflow of pressurized air to transmitter member 16 through pressureregulator 22, and to air pack member 42. Unidirectional valve 52prevents the flow of air from joint 50 back to the air source 14.Unidirectional valve 37 prevents the flow of air from air pack member 42directly to the air transmitter 16. Accordingly, air pack 42, onceinflated, is in isolation from the remainder of the system during normaloperation so that the system therefore operates as in the FIG. 1embodiment but with the air from transmitter 16 being exhausted throughair vent mechanism 60. Air vent 60 allows the flow of air to be ventedduring normal operation when the pressure in air pack 42 is too high forthe entrapped passenger to force the air back to air pack 42 with normalbreathing reactions, but shuts off the flow leakage when the pressure inair pack 42 is low enough to allow normal breathing reactions to forceair to air pack 42. Spring 62 holds piston 54 so that a pressure forceis required to open piston 54 to allow flow to be vented through venthole 53. This air vent mechanism 60 can be used in any embodiment ifnecessary. With the quick connect-disconnect mechanism 44 disconnected,the entrapped passenger has a portable emergency air supply system 46,which includes air pack 42, pressure regulator 22 and air transmitter 16and exhaust vent 60, together with the V appropriate portions of theinterconnecting sections of conduit system 18 which can be utilized toleave the submerged vehicle in safety and proceed to the surface of thewater. Air pack 42 is preferably in the form of a body enveloping lifejacket.

While the air source 14 is depicted in the earlier descriptions as beingthe vehicle spare tire, a larger supply of emergency air can be madeavailable if one or more of the vehicles operationally mounted tires areused either in conjunction with the spare tire or other air source, oralone. Mechanism to permit the use of an operationally mounted vehicletire is shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. In this construction, air source 14comprises inflated tire 70 which is operationally mounted on vehiclewheel 72 for rotation therewith about wheel axis 74. In thisconstruction, valve stem 76 of tire 70 communicates with stem member 78,which is mounted for rotation with tire 70 on wheel 72 as best shown inFIG. 10. Stem member 78 includes cylindrical projection 80 which ismounted for rotation within vehicle mounted fixed cylinder 82, withbearing member 84 positioned therebetween. Unidirectional valve member86 may be located in member 78 as shown in FIG. 9 and on-off valvemember 88, which is shown inits off position in FIG. 10 but which isactuatable in any convenient fashion, such as by solenoid why theapplication of pressure within bellows system 90 to an open position soas to establish communication between tire and conduit 18 through fixedconduit member 92, which is joined to conduit system 18 and whichincludes flange member 94 received between carbon seal rings 96 and 98within sylinders and 82 to prevent air leakage therearound. If pressureis to be used to open valve 88, that pressure may well be the pressurefrom the spare tire which is actuated by the on-off valve 20 of FIG. 1to pass through conduit 92 and into bellowed chamber to bringoperationally mounted tire 70 into communication with conduit 18.

As previously stated, it may be necessary to use a pump mechanism inconduit 18 either to get air from the air source 14 to the transmitter'16 or from transmitter 16 to locations elsewhere in the system andrecommended types of pumps are shown in FIGS. 7-10. The FIG. 11construction is a hand or foot operated flexible ball member 100 locatedin conduit 18 between unidirectional valves 102 and 104 and may beoperated by the passenger to contract under hand or foot pressure todisplace the air therein through valve 104 and conduit 18 in pumpingfashion and to return due to its own resiliency to its normal positionupon release to draw more air thereinto from conduit 18 through valve102 for pumping therefrom upon the next depression stroke.

The FIG. 12 construction is a hand or foot operated bellows mechanism106 which operates in similar fashion and pumps the air therefromthrough conduit 18 and valve 104 when depressed and draws air thereintothrough unidirectional valve 102 when released for pumping therefrom inthe next depression stroke.

The FIG. 13 construction is an automatic pump. In the FIG. 13construction, a bellows type pump similar to the FIG. 12 construction isshown in conduit 18 between unidirectional valves 102 and 104. Directcur rent solenoid mechanisms 108 and 110 are located within the interiorof bellows mechanism 106 adjacent actuating arm 107, which connects tobellows 106. Solenoid 107-110 is actuated by power from the vehiclebattery or a separate sealed battery system 112 in response to heatresponsive switch 114, which detects the temperature change brought onby the vehicles submerged condition, and which causes the actuation ofthe solenoid 107l10 to perform an automatic pumping of bellows type pump106 when the emergency air system switch 116 of the vehicle 10 isactuated.

Our experiments with this emergency air supply system revealed that itis preferable to have the air supply as close to the passenger aspossible for ease of breathing and that the chest encircling air pack 42provides maximum breathing comfort.

We wish it to be understood that we do not desire to be limited to theexact details of construction shown and described, for obviousmodifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.

We claim:

1. Air transmitting means comprising a face mask for enveloping aperson's breathing passages and sealing therearound, a passagewayextending through one side of said mask, an opening in said face maskintersecting said passage, a member in said opening movable between aposition closing said passageway and a position opening said passagewaywith positions in between presenting a varying opening, spring meansbiasing said member to its closed position, a member extending from saidmember to the exterior of said face mask for operably moving said firstmember, the free end of said second member having one end of a headstrapcon- I nected thereto, the other end of said headstrap being connectedto the other side of said face mask.

2. An emergency air supply system for passengers in a submerged landvehicle including:

A. a pressurized source of air,

B. transmitter means adapted to envelop the breathing passages of thepassenger,

C. conduit means connecting said pressurized air source to saidtransmitter means,

D. valve means operatively associated with said conduit means toestablish communication therethrough between said pressurized air sourceand said transmitter means,

E. pressure regulating means operatively associated with said conduitmeans to regulate the pressure of the air being transmitted therethroughfrom said pressurized air source to said transmitter means, and

F. wherein said pressurized air source is at least one of the inflatedtires operatively mounted on the vehicle wheel and including a pressuretransfer member including means mounted for rotation with the tire onthe wheel and stationary means connected to the vehicle and constitutingpart of said conduit means, and means to establish pressurecommunication between the rotatable portion of the transfer means andthe stationary portion thereof.

3. An emergency air supply system for passengers in a submerged landvehicle including:

A. a pressurized source of air,

B. transmitter means adapted to envelop the breathing passages of thepassenger,

C. conduit means connecting said pressurized air source to saidtransmitter means,

D. valve means operatively associated with said conduit means toestablish communication therethrough between said pressurized air sourceand said transmitter means,

E. pressure regulating means operatively associated with said conduitmeans to regulate the pressure of the air being transmitted therethroughfrom said pressurized air source to said transmitter means,

F. wherein said conduit means includes a first conduit connected totransmit air from said pressurized air source to said transmitter meansand a second conduit connected to transmit breathed air from saidtransmitter means,

G. and including pump means operatively associated with at least one ofsaid conduits to assist in transmitting air therethrough and whereinsaid pump means includes solenoid means and temperature responsivesignal means operatively connected to the solenoid means to causesolenoid actuation and hence pump actuation in response to a selectedtemperature signal means.

4. An emergency air supply system for passengers in a submerged vehiclehaving a passenger compartment with a dashboard and supported on airinflated tires including:

A. a pressurized vehicle tire,

B. transmitter means adapted to envelope the breathing passages of thepassenger,

C. quick attach-detach means to store said transmitter means in thepassenger compartment,

D. conduit means connecting said tire to said transmitter means,

E. valve means operatively associated with said conduit means toestablish communication therethrough between said tire and saidtransmitter means,

F. pressure regulating means operatively associated with said conduitmeans to regulate the pressure of the air being transmitted therethroughfrom said tire to said transmitter means,

G. an inflatable portable member located in the passenger compartmentand attached to said conduit means and wherein said conduit means isconnected to provide pressurized air to both said inflatable member andsaid transmitter means, and

H. quick attach-detach means operatively associated with said conduitmeans and actuatable to disconnect said portable inflatable member, saidtransmitter means and the portion of the conduit means therebetween fromthe remainder of the system.

5. An emergency air supply system for a passenger in a submerged vehiclehaving a passenger compartment including:

A. a transmitter means adapted to envelop the breathing passages of apassenger,

B. means to store said transmitter means in the passenger compartment, 7

C. a separate inflatable portable member accessible from the passengercompartment,

D. first conduit means connecting said transmitter means to saidinflatable portable member,

E. an inflated vehicle tire providing a pressurized source of air,

F. a second conduit means connecting said source to said first conduitmeans for simultaneous flow of pressurized air to the transmitter meansand separate inflatable portable member,

G. pressure regulating means operatively associated with said firstconduit means to regulate the pressure of the air being transmittedthrough said second conduit from said source to said transmitter means,

H. valve means operatively connected with said second conduit toestablish communication therethrough between said source and said secondconduit means, and

l. quick attach-detach means operatively associated with said secondconduit means and actuatable to disconnect said inflatable portablemember, said transmitter means and interconnecting conduit meanstherebetween from the remainder of the system.

6. An emergency air supply system for a passenger in a submerged vehiclehaving a passenger compartment including:

A. a transmitter means adapted to envelop the breathing passages of apassenger,

B. means to store said transmitter means in the passenger compartment,

C. a separate inflatable portable member accessible from the passengercompartment,

D. first conduit means connecting said transmitter means to saidinflatable portable member,

E. a pressurized source of air,

F. a second conduit means connecting said source to said first conduitmeans for simultaneous flow of pressurized air to the transmitter meansand separate inflatable portable member,

G. pressure regulating means operatively associated with said firstconduit meansto regulate the pressure of the air being transmittedthrough said second conduit from said source to said transmitter means,

H. valve means operatively connected with said second conduit toestablish communication therethrough between said source and said secondconduit means, and

1. quick attach-detach means operatively associated with said secondconduit means and actuatable to disconnect said inflatable portablemember, said transmitter means and interconnecting conduit meanstherebetween from the remainder of the system,

. said pressure regulating means is responsive to the pressure of thesurrounding environment,

K. unidirectional means located in said conduit means between saidpressure regulating means and said air transmitter to permit air flowfrom said pressure regulating means to said transmitter means solely,

L. unidirectional valve means located in said conduit means between saidtransmitter means and said inflatable, portable member to permit airflow from said transmitter means to said member solely, and

M. a discharge valve located in said conduit means between said memberand said transmitter means and closer to said transmitter means thansaid unidirectional valve to bleed air from said conduit means when thepressure therein exceeds a predetermined limit.

7. An emergency air supply system for a passenger in a submerged vehiclehaving a passenger compartment including:

A. a transmitter means adapted to envelop the breathing passages of apassenger,

B. means to store said transmitter means in the passenger compartment,

C. a separate inflatable portable member accessible from the passengercompartment,

D. first conduit means connecting said transmitter means to saidinflatable portable member,

E. a pressurized source of air,

F. a second conduit means connecting said source to said first conduitmeans for simultaneous flow of pressurized air to the transmitter meansand separate inflatable portable member,

G. pressure regulating means operatively associated with said firstconduit means to regulate the pressure of the air being transmittedthrough said second conduit from said source to said transmitter means,

H. valve means operatively connected with said second conduit toestablish communication therethrough between said source and said secondconduit means, and

. quick attach-detach means operatively associated with .said secondconduit means and actuatable to disconnect said inflatable portablemember, said transmitter means and interconnecting conduit meanstherebetween from the remainder of the system,

. said transmitting means comprising a face mask for enveloping apersons breathing passages and sealing therearound, a passagewayextending through one side of said mask, an opening in said face maskintersecting said passage, a member in said opening movable between aposition closing said passageway and a position opening said passagewaywith positions in between presenting a varying opening, spring meansbiasing said member to its closed position, a member extending from saidmember to the exterior of said face mask for operably moving said firstmember, the free end of said second member having one end of a headstrapconnected thereto, the other end of said headstrap being connected tothe other side of said face mask.

8. An emergency air supply system for a passenger in a submerged vehiclehaving a passenger compartment including:

' A. a transmitter means adapted to envelop the breathing passages of apassenger,

B. means to store said transmitter means in the passenger compartment,

C. a separate inflatable portable: member accessible from the passengercompartment,

D. first conduit means connecting said transmitter means to saidinflatable portable member,

E. a pressurized source of air,

F. a second conduit means connecting said source to said first conduitmeans for simultaneous flow of pressurized air to the transmitter meansand separate inflatable portable member;

G. pressure regulating means operatively associated with said firstconduit means to regulate the pressure of the air being transmittedthrough said second conduit from said source to said transmitter means,

H. valve means operatively connected with said second conduit toestablish communication therethrough between said source and said secondconduit means,

. quick attach-detach means operatively associated with said secondconduit means and actuatable to disconnect said inflatable portablemember, said transmitter means and interconnecting conduit meanstherebetween from the remainder of the system,and pump means operativelyassociated with at least one of said conduits to assist in transmittingair therethrough.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said pressurized source of airis at least one of the vehicle inflated tires.

10. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said 5 pump means is of themanually operated volume dis A. a pressurized source of air,

B. transmitter means adapted to envelop the breathing passages of thepassenger,

C. conduit means connecting said pressurized air source to saidtransmitter means,

D. first valve means operatively associated with said conduit means toestablish communication therethrough between said pressurized air sourceand said transmitter means,

E. pressure regulating means operatively associated with said conduitmeans toregulate the pressure of the air being transmitted therethroughfrom said pressurized air source to said transmitter means,

F. an inflatable and portable air pack member operatively associatedwith said conduit means to receive pressurized air from said pressurizedsource of air and be inflated thereby and to transmit the air so receiveto said transmitter means,

G. second valve means operatively associated with said conduit means andconnected to receive pressurized air from said pressurized source of airand to transmit the air so' received therethrough to both said pressureregulating means and said air pack member and including:

1. means to quickly disconnect said second valve means, said pressureregulating means, said transmitter means, and said air pack member withthe portion of the conduit means extending therebetween from theremainder of the system,

2. means responsive to the actuation of said quick connect-disconnectmeans to establish communication through said conduit means between saidair pack member and said pressure regulating means and transmittermeans,

H. said pressure regulating means is responsive to the pressure of thesurrounding environment,

I. unidirectional means located in said conduit means between saidpressure regulating means and said air transmitter to permit air flowfrom said pressure regulating means to said transmitter means solely,

J. unidirectional valve means located in said conduit means between saidtransmitter means and said air pack member to permit air flow from saidtransmitter means to said air pack member solely, and

K. a discharge valve located in said conduit means between said air packmember and said transmitter means and closer to said transmitter meansthan said unidirectional valve to bleed air from said conduit means whenthe pressure therein exceeds a predetermined limit.

1. Air transmitting means comprising a face mask for enveloping aperson''s breathing passages and sealing therearound, a passagewayextending through one side of said mask, an opening in said face maskintersecting said passage, a member in said opening movable between aposition closing said passageway and a position opening said passagewaywith positions in between presenting a varying opening, spring meansbiasing said member to its closed position, a member extending from saidmember to the exterior of said face mask for operably moving said firstmember, the free end of said second member having one end of a headstrapconnected thereto, the other end of said headstrap being connected tothe other side of said face mask.
 1. Air transmitting means comprising aface mask for enveloping a person''s breathing passages and sealingtherearound, a passageway extending through one side of said mask, anopening in said face mask intersecting said passage, a member in saidopening movable between a position closing said passageway and aposition opening said passageway with positions in between presenting avarying opening, spring means biasing said member to its closedposition, a member extending from said member to the exterior of saidface mask for operably moving said first member, the free end of saidsecond member having one end of a headstrap connected thereto, the otherend of said headstrap being connected to the other side of said facemask.
 1. means to quickly disconnect said second valve means, saidpressure regulating means, said transmitter means, and said air packmember with the portion of the conduit means extending therebetween fromthe remainder of the system,
 2. means responsive to the actuation ofsaid quick connect-disconnect means to establish communication throughsaid conduit means between said air pack member and said pressureregulating means and transmitter means, H. said pressure regulatingmeans is responsive to the pressure of the surrounding environment, I.unidirectional means located in said conduit means between said pressureregulating means and said air transmitter to permit air flow from saidpressure regulating means to said transmitter means solely, J.unidirectional valve means located in said conduit means between saidtransmitter means and said air pack member to permit air flow from saidtransmitter means to said air pack member solely, and K. a dischargevalve located in said conduit means between said air pack member andsaid transmitter means and closer to said transmitter means than saidunidirectional valve to bleed air from said conduit means when thepressure therein exceeds a predetermined limit.
 2. An emergency airsupply system for passengers in a submerged land vehicle including: A. apressurized source of air, B. transmitter means adapted to envelop thebreathing passages of the passenger, C. conduit means connecting saidpressurized air source to said transmitter means, D. valve meansoperatively associated with said conduit means to establishcommunication therethrough between said pressurized air source and saidtransmitter means, E. pressure regulating means operatively associatedwith said conduit means to regulate the pressure of the air beingtransmitted therethrough from said pressurized air source to saidtransmitter means, and F. wherein said pressurized air source is atleast one of the inflated tires operatively mounted on the vehicle wheeland including a pressure transfer member including means mounted forrotation with the tire on the wheel and stationary means connected tothe vehicle and constituting part of said conduit means, and means toestablish pressure communication between the rotatable portion of thetransfer means and the stationary portion thereof.
 3. An emergency airsupply system for passengers in a submerged land vehicle including: A. apressurized source of air, B. transmitter means adapted to envelop thebreathing passages of the passenger, C. conduit means connecting saidpressurized air source to said transmitter means, D. valve meansoperatively associated with said conduit means to establishcommunication therethrough between said pressurized air source and saidtransmitter means, E. pressure regulating means operatively associatedwith said conduit means to regulate the pressure of the air beingtransmitted therethrough from said pressurized air source to saidtransmitter means, F. wherein said conduit means includes a firstconduit connected to transmit air from said pressurized air source tosaid transmitter means and a second conduit connected to transmitbreathed air from said transmitter means, G. and including pump meansoperatively associated with at least one of said conduits to assist intransmitting air therethrough and wherein said pump means includessolenoid means and temperature responsive signal means operativelyconnected to the solenoid means to cause solenoid actuation and hencepump actuation in response to a selected temperature signal means.
 4. Anemergency air supply system for passengers in a submerged vehicle havinga passenger compartment with a dashboard and supported on air inflatedtires including: A. a pressurized vehicle tire, B. transmitter meansadapted to envelope the breathing passages of the passenger, C. quickattach-detach means to store said transmitter means in the passengercompartment, D. conduit means connecting said tire to said transmittermeans, E. valve means operatively associated with said conduit means toestablish communication therethrough between said tire and saidtransmitter means, F. pressure regulating means operatively associatedwith said conduit means to regulate the pressure of the air beingtransmitted therethrough from said tire to said transmitter means, G. aninflatable portable member located in the passenger compartment andattached to said conduit means and wherein said conduit means isconnected to provide pressurized air to both said inflatable member andsaid transmitter means, and H. quick attach-detach means operativelyassociated with said conduit means and actuatable to disconnect saidportable inflatable member, said transmitter means and the portion ofthe conduit means therebetween from the remainder of the system.
 5. Anemergency air supply system for a passenger in a submerged vehiclehaving a passenger compartment including: A. a transmitter means adaptedto envelop the breathing passages of a passenger, B. means to store saidtransmitter means in the passenger compartment, C. a separate inflatableportable member accessible from the passenger compartment, D. firstconduit means connecting said transmitter means to said inflatableportable member, E. an inflated vehicle tire providing a pressurizedsource of air, F. a second conduit means connecting said source to saidfirst conduit means for simultaneous flow of pressurized air to thetransmitter means and separate inflatable portable member, G. pressureregulating means operatively associated with said first conduit means toregulate the pressure of the air being transmitted through said secondconduit from said source to said transmitter means, H. valve meansoperatively connected with said second conduit to establishcommunication therethrough between said source and said second conduitmeans, and I. quick attach-detach means operatively associated with saidsecond conduit means and actuatable to disconnect said inflatableportable member, said transmitter means and interconnecting conduitmeans therebetween from the remainder of the system.
 6. An emergency airsupply system for a passenger in a submerged vehicle having a passengercompartment including: A. a transmitter means adapted to envelop thebreathing passages of a passenger, B. means to store said transmittermeans in the passenger compartment, C. a separate inflatable portablemember accessible from the passenger compartment, D. first conduit meansconnecting said transmitter means to said inflatable portable member, E.a pressurized source of air, F. a second conduit means connecting saidsource to said first conduit means for simultaneous flow of pressurizedair to the transmitter means and separate inflatable portable member, G.pressure regulating means operatively associated with said first conduitmeans to regulate the pressure of the air being transmitted through saidsecond conduit from said source to said transmitter means, H. valvemeans operatively connected with said second conduit to establishcommunication therethrough between said source and said second conduitmeans, and I. quick attach-detach means operatively associated with saidsecond conduit means and actuatable to disconnect said inflatableportable member, said transmitter means and interconnecting conduitmeans therebetween from the remainder of the system, J. said pressureregulating means is responsive to the pressure of the surroundingenvironment, K. unidirectional means located in said conduit meansbetween said pressure regulating means and said air transmitter topermit air flow from said pressure regulating means to said transmittermeans solely, L. unidirectional valve means located in said conduitmeans between said transmitter means and said inflatable, portablemember to permit air flow from said transmitter means to said membersolely, and M. a discharge valve located in said conduit means betweensaid member and said transmitter means and closer to said transmittermeans than said unidirectional valve to bleed air from said conduitmeans when the pressure therein exceeds a predetermined limit.
 7. Anemergency air supply system for a passenger in a submerged vehiclehaving a passenger compartment including: A. a transmitter means adaptedto envelop the breathing passages of a passenger, B. means to store saidtransmitter means in the passenger compartment, C. a separate inflatableportable member accessible from the passenger compartment, D. firstconduit means connecting said transmitter means to said inflatableportable member, E. a pressurized source of air, F. a second conduitmeans connecting said source to said first conduit means forsimultaneous flow of pressurized air to the transmitter means andseparate inflatable portable member, G. pressure regulating meansoperatively associated with said first conduit means to regulate thepressure of the air being transmitted through said second conduit fromsaid source to said transmitter means, H. valve means operativelyconnected with said second conduit to establish communicationtherethrough between said source and said second conduit means, and I.quick attach-detach means operatively associated with said secondconduit means and actuatable to disconnect said inflatable portablemember, said transmitter means and interconnecting conduit meanstherebetween from the remainder of the system, J. said transmittingmeans comprising a face mask for enveloping a person''s breathingpassages and sealing therearound, a passageway extending through oneside of said mask, an opening in said face mask intersecting saidpassage, a member in said opening movable between a position closingsaid passageway and a position opening said passageway with positions inbetween presenting a varying opening, spring means biasing said memberto its closed position, a member extending from said member to theexterior of said face mask for operably moving said first member, thefree end of said second member having one end of a headstrap connectedthereto, the other end of said headstrap being connected to the otherside of said face mask.
 8. An emergency air supply system for apassenger in a submerged vehicle having a passenger compartmentincluding: A. a transmitter means adapted to envelop the breathingpassages of a passenger, B. means to store said transmitter means in thepassenger compartment, C. a separate inflatable portable memberaccessible from the passenger compartment, D. first conduit meansconnecting said transmitter means to said inflatable portable member, E.a pressurized source of air, F. a second conduit means connecting saidsource to said first conduit means for simultaneous flow of pressurizedair to the transmitter means and separate inflatable portable member, G.pressure regulating means operatively associated with said first conduitmeans to regulate the pressure of the air being transmitted through saidsecond conduit from said source to said transmitter means, H. valvemeans operatively connected with said second conduit to establishcommunication therethrough between said source and said second Conduitmeans, I. quick attach-detach means operatively associated with saidsecond conduit means and actuatable to disconnect said inflatableportable member, said transmitter means and interconnecting conduitmeans therebetween from the remainder of the system, and J. pump meansoperatively associated with at least one of said conduits to assist intransmitting air therethrough.
 9. Apparatus according to claim 8 whereinsaid pressurized source of air is at least one of the vehicle inflatedtires.
 10. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said pump means is ofthe manually operated volume displacement type.